Hijri calls on nations to support Autonomous Region in Suwayda
By Malin Muhammed
SUWAYDA, Syria (North Press) – The spiritual leader of Syria’s Druze community, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, on Monday called on states and “free peoples” to support the community’s demand for declaring a separate region in Suwayda, southern Syria.
Al-Hijri made the statement in a speech at the residence of Mazid Khaddaj, newly appointed commander of the Men of Dignity Movement, in the town of Qanawat. He said, “We ask all states and free peoples to stand by us as Druze in Suwayda to declare a separate region to protect us forever.”
The remarks came one day after the Men of Dignity Movement announced the appointment of Abu Diab Mazid Khaddaj as its new general commander, succeeding the late Hassan Yahya al-Hajjar.
Al-Hijri stressed that the Druze community has always called for peace, not conflict: “We have the right to defend ourselves, but we refuse to be aggressors.” He condemned what he described as recent “barbaric attacks” against the Druze, saying such acts demonstrate the “brutality” of the conditions they face.
The spiritual leader extended thanks to countries that expressed solidarity with the Druze of Syria, specifically mentioning the United States and Israel, as well as Druze communities in Israel.
His call followed recent security developments in Suwayda. On Saturday, several armed factions in the governorate announced their full merger under the name “National Guard Forces,” reflecting an effort to unify local armed structures.
In recent weeks, Suwayda has witnessed a sharp escalation of violence after attacks by Syrian government forces and allied Bedouin tribes on Druze communities. Local sources reported dozens of civilians killed, with entire families targeted in what residents described as massacres. Armed assaults struck villages and towns, leaving widespread destruction and sparking mass displacement. Community leaders condemned the violence, calling it a systematic attempt to crush the Druze population. The events have deepened fears of further instability in southern Syria.